ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) is a safe, noninvasive, and accurate test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of 13C-UBT in children using different types of test meal, doses of 13C-urea and breath sampling intervals. As yet, a validated, standardized 13C-UBT protocol for children has not been formulated. METHODS: 13C-UBT was performed in 115 children and repeated within 3 days, modifying the test meal or the dose of 13C-urea. H. pylori status was assessed by histology and rapid urease test. 13C-UBT was performed using 100 mg or 50 mg of 13C-urea and a fatty test meal (100 FA; 50 FA), 50 mg of 13C-urea, and a carbohydrate test meal (50 CA). Breath samples were collected every 10 min for 60 min. RESULTS: The 13C-UBT in children was highly sensitive and specific with all three protocols used. The best combination of sensitivity (97.92%) and specificity (97.96%) was obtained with Protocol 50 FA at 30 min with a cut-off of 3.5 per mil. CONCLUSIONS: The 13C-UBT is an accurate test for the detection of H. pylori infection also in children. Administration of 50 mg of 13C-urea, a fatty test meal, and breath sampling at 30 min appears to be the most convenient protocol.
Subject(s)
Breath Tests , Gastritis/diagnosis , Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis , Helicobacter pylori , Urea/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Body Surface Area , Child , Child, Preschool , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Gastric Mucosa/pathology , Gastritis/pathology , Gastroscopy , Helicobacter Infections/pathology , Humans , Male , Reference Standards , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
A new method of closure of Morgagni-Larrey hernia by video-assisted surgery is described in a child. Laparoscopy could in our opinion be an advantageous method for treatment of diaphragmatic defects.
Subject(s)
Hernia, Diaphragmatic/surgery , Laparoscopy , Child, Preschool , Hernia, Diaphragmatic/diagnostic imaging , Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital , Humans , Male , Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures , Polytetrafluoroethylene , Prostheses and Implants , Radiography , Video RecordingABSTRACT
Systematic radon monitoring in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory was performed in order to determine the background radon contribution to the sophisticated experimental apparatus and to check health physics standards for the personnel. As expected, the radon concentrations were found to depend strongly on the ventilation in the three experimental halls. Considerable reductions in the radon concentrations were obtained in 1993, when fresh air was drawn into the laboratory through a pipe and exhaust air was routed into the highway tunnel.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Radon/analysis , Air Pollution, Indoor/prevention & control , Humans , Italy , Laboratories , Occupational Exposure , VentilationSubject(s)
Lung Transplantation , Lung/ultrastructure , Animals , Humans , Swine , Tissue PreservationABSTRACT
Experimental surgery in animals remains an irreplaceable model for the clinical application of a new technique. We performed a single lung allotransplantation in young pigs. The pigs were organized into groups: 1) 6 to assess the surgical anatomy; 2) 10 to receive left transplantation; 3) 3 to study the pathophysiology of the transplanted lung. The preliminary results demonstrated that the surgical model is useful.